17/09/2026
KORONADAL CITY — The Diocese of Marbel’s Coalition of Priests, Laity and Sectoral Representatives has formally requested a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) investigation into alleged partisan activities by local officials influencing an electric cooperative plebiscite.
In a Sept. 7 letter received by DILG Regional Office XII Director Rochelle D. Mahinay on Sept. 9, the coalition accused city, municipal, and barangay officials of using public resources to swing votes in favor of a Joint Venture Agreement between South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOCOTECO II) and Ignite Power.
The coalition, representing member-consumer-owners who have owned the cooperative since 1979, claims the proposed deal effectively transfers utility assets to a private consortium associated with former Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao and businessman Enrique Razon.
The group submitted sworn affidavits and photos detailing alleged vote-buying through rice distributions, forced proxy vote harvesting, and the illegal use of government offices, staff, and public funds to campaign for the deal.
The coalition noted that these acts violate constitutional bans on partisan political activity by public officials, as well as the Local Government Code and Election Code rules.
The petition asks DILG XII to issue strict neutrality reminders, prohibit partisan activities regarding the vote, and initiate administrative proceedings against offending officials.
"We hope that through your intervention, these illegal acts will be stopped, and our public officials will instead protect the interest of the poor who depend on affordable power," wrote coalition co-convenors Br. Manuel De Leon, Fr. Jerome Millan, and Fr. Angel R. Buenavides.
